How to Care for Natural Stone Countertops
Natural stone countertops are an investment. Whether you chose Calacatta marble, black absolute granite, or quartzite, the long-term look of your surface depends almost entirely on maintenance. Here's what we tell every client after installation.
Sealing: The First Line of Defense
Granite and quartzite are relatively dense, but marble is porous and stains easily. We recommend sealing all natural stone countertops at installation and then annually — more often in high-use areas like kitchen islands.
A simple absorption test: place a few drops of water on the surface and wait 10 minutes. If it beads up, your sealer is holding. If it soaks in and darkens the stone, it's time to reseal.
We use penetrating (impregnating) sealers, not topical coatings. Topical sealers build up over time and cloud the finish.
Daily Cleaning
Keep it simple:
- Warm water and a few drops of dish soap is sufficient for everyday spills.
- Microfiber cloths — not sponges, which trap bacteria.
- Dry the surface after cleaning. Standing water is the most common cause of mineral deposits and grout staining.
Avoid: vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, Windex, or anything acidic. Marble is calcium carbonate — acid etches it on contact, creating dull spots that require honing or polishing to fix.
What to Do About Etches and Stains
Etching (dull, lighter spots) and staining (colored discoloration) are different problems with different solutions.
For etches on polished marble: Light etches can sometimes be buffed with marble polishing powder. Deep etches need professional honing.
For stains: A poultice — a paste of baking soda and water applied overnight and covered with plastic wrap — draws stains out of porous stone. Repeat as needed.
For stubborn stains: Contact us. We can polish, hone, or spot-treat before recommending a full reseal.
Long-Term Maintenance
- Use cutting boards. Always.
- Use trivets for hot pans, even on granite. Thermal shock can crack stone.
- Felt pads under appliances prevent scratching.
- Wipe up spills immediately — especially oils, wine, and coffee on marble.
If your stone is looking dull or has accumulated surface damage, we offer restoration services — honing, polishing, and resealing — throughout the Greater Seattle Area, Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, and Gig Harbor.
Questions about your specific stone? Reach out — we're happy to advise even if we didn't install it.